There is nothing to be taken lightly about a new Disney fireworks show, least of all in Magic Kingdom. As the original and flagship park of Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom has only debuted three major pyrotechnics displays in its 46-year history. Yes, there have been the occasional updates to an existing framework and seasonal productions linked to holiday events, but in terms of regular, nightly, long-term fireworks, Happily Ever After, the fireworks spectacle that debuted in May 2017, is only the third to ever exist. That means it is a very big deal. Since the premiere of its predecessor, Wishes, in 2003, tremendous advances have been made in technology across Disney property and at competitor destinations. What’s more, park guests of 2017 are being raised differently than the generation before them. Upon the announcement of a new show’s arrival, standards were high. Happily Ever After, heavily tasked with being the finale to a day spent in the “most magical place on earth”, had to adapt to hold the same significance to a modern audience, yet unwaveringly retain a classic tone.

I stood waiting for showtime, cautiously excited in a jam-packed Main Street, U.S.A. As the show began—its first moments utilizing an impressive new infrastructure of tech and a rousing orchestral score—I shouted the first of many “Woah!”s out loud, felt the stirrings of emotion I hoped would come, and knew that however different this would be from the production that has made this sacred space its home for so long, Happily Ever After is proud of what it is and leverages everything it has to be the most riveting Disney nighttime spectacular ever… to a certain audience.

Ready to Begin

Let’s say this upfront: Strictly concerning pyro, Happily Ever After is easily the best fireworks show you’ve ever seen. Borrowing the impressiveness of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular but with a venue as grand as Cinderella Castle and content as treasured as Disney’s animated films, Happily Ever After is both a visual and thematic achievement. The show is essentially two productions in one, being a fully produced fireworks spectacle accompanied by state-of-the-art projections onto the castle that could easily merit their own incredible show by themselves. This isn’t even to mention the new installation of a fleet of spotlights (thanks, Diamond Celebration!), wow-worthy lasers, and an incredible new lighting technology that makes shapes appear on the castle’s surface using fiber-optic-esque lights that are somehow invisibly part of the castle’s exterior. The scope of the whole thing is at times overwhelming, not knowing where to look and certainly needing several viewings to take it all in, but ultimately amounts to a production value unequaled to anything seen in an Orlando park, and perhaps anywhere else.

While all of this makes for an outstandingly remarkable show, in this park all the bells and whistles are secondary to the story they support. In examining the narrative Happily Ever After chooses to tell (and not tell), we find a curious, unexpected commentary of modernity versus antiquity.

Unlock the Magic Within

Beginning in the 1990s, Walt Disney Animation Studios developed films that seemed to abridge the messages of its forefathers. Simba dreamed of becoming king, but was challenged by the very real, adult responsibilities attached to the job. Mulan’s family was faced with distress, but rather than wishing for circumstances to change, Mulan took action herself. By 2009’s The Princess and the Frog, characters were outright stating that the vintage Disney films of yore had it wrong, or at least left out crucial information. Tiana is urged by her father to wish upon a star if she so chooses, but to not forget the grind necessary to make her dreams real. Faith with works, as it were… the idea that perhaps either can exist without the other, but shouldn’t.

This shift in the company’s film output is directly reflected in Happily Ever After. Whereas Wishes implored guests to wish with all our might and every fiber in our being, Happily Ever After makes an amendment to that call to action by stressing its practical application, all the while careful to still carry the Disney magic it knows is essential to its existence. In perhaps the most controversial of its decisions, the show chooses to do this with almost all modern Disney characters (the word “modern” being relative in the sense of the 100-year Disney legacy) created since 1989 and after. It’s quick to welcome new properties into the fold and quicker to give the limelight to obscure films you may have forgotten about.

It’s logical for a newer show to include newer characters. However, it seems strange to so blatantly exclude older films, especially for a park that has always prioritized honoring its history. One factor could be Once Upon a Time, a (mostly) projection-only show which debuted in November 2016 and does include more traditional Disney selections (plus Frozen). Once Upon a Time was designed to complement Happily Ever After, meaning that its creators (mostly) didn’t include the same characters in both projects because they knew many guests would see both shows in the same evening.

It’s not as if Disney deems its earlier work as irrelevant—Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the newest permanent attraction in the park, yet is based on the studio’s oldest film. It seems that Happily Ever After in particular, for whatever reason, feels it so important to connect with a specific generation so passionately that it is content with ignoring others. This can either be interpreted as insensitive or inquisitively strategic, and in the spirit of optimism that the park embodies, it’s worth assessing the latter.

You Are the Key

When truly thinking about it, it may be surprising to realize the age that some of these movies now hold. While new in comparison to the films that laid the foundation for Disney’s beginnings, in any other sense they are not new at all. Toy Story. Hercules. Tangled. For most of them, time has passed, and Happily Ever After faces us with the reality that they are now old enough to be classics in their own right, and for a generation, they have become as iconic as Snow White or Pinocchio.

Aware but in spite of what any academic study may announce about the millennial generation, if I may for a moment provide a self-definition of myself and my peers, I would say this: One of our greatest joys is identifying the skillsets within ourselves and learning how to use them best. I believe any label of entitlement or misuse of the unprecedented communication devices at our disposal to be faults of individual basis, unjustified to be indicative of an entire group. As with any large mass of people, there are occasional deviations from this, but the millennials who settle for less than what they are capable of are fewer in number against those who think their careers should be extensions of themselves, part of their being. It is this audience that Happily Ever After services best, its script overflowing with inspirational quotes waiting to be tweeted and Instagram captioned, its score teeming with moments of triumph and elation, its message begging to be used in its viewers’ pursuits of their dreams. The crucial part is those dreams being realistic and reachable rather than fantastical and far-off, with Happily Ever After effectively cementing its featured Disney heroes as icons of a generation and approved models for this “Disney Dreaming 2.0” philosophy. It is here where Happily Ever After is at its most triumphant. For the person who can quickly make the connection between these characters and their own story, the viewing experience has the potential to be provocative and personal if one allows it to be.

Happily Ever After finds its niche in carefully selecting its core characters and then harnessing that aforementioned technical wizardry to design a show that is beautiful, awesome, and inspirational. Its most poignant moments come in its unexpected, thoughtful merging of characters or film sequences with songs from movies different than the one in which they originate. To go into detail about such occurrences would deprive those who haven’t seen the show of several truly wonderful surprises. One in particular has become one of my favorite theme park moments of all time.

To compare Happily Ever After to Wishes is a bit like comparing The Hall of Presidents to The American Adventure. Both may appear to hold similar functions on paper, but their methods are completely different, and both are important to the legacy of this special place—to the people who spend time here and, more importantly, will leave here different than when they arrived. Happily Ever After is a beacon to those bold enough to dream—not in the lofty sense we grew up associating that word with, but in a very real context. In a kingdom where fairytales, as captivating as they may be, have always been assumed imaginary, Happily Ever After implores that the magic our heroes exude may not be all that distant.

]]>52396WDW Radio Newswire: More Tidbits On Pandora- The World Of Avatarhttp://www.wdwradio.com/2017/05/wdw-radio-newswire-more-tidbits-on-pandora-the-world-of-avatar/
Tue, 09 May 2017 13:00:46 +0000http://www.wdwradio.com/?p=51813Plus… New details announced for the 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Wishes approaching its final performance, and more! We begin the May 2017 Edition of the WDW Radio Newswire at […]

Plus… New details announced for the 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Wishes approaching its final performance, and more!

We begin the May 2017 Edition of the WDW Radio Newswire at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park for a few more tidbits on Pandora – The World of Avatar. Let’s begin with one of the land’s two attractions: Na’vi River Journey. Through recent previews, we’ve learned that the attraction itself is about 4 1/2 minutes in length, and the ride vehicles are reed boats that seat up to eight Guests, in an arrangement of two rows of four. Meanwhile, over at Satu’li Canteen, it looks like specialty drinks and souvenir glasses will be in the mix. For $11.99, you can get a Pandora souvenir sipper filled with your choice of fountain beverage. Also on the menu is the Pandoran Sunrise, a non-alcoholic blend of tropical juices and Melon Powerade. The drink is available in a souvenir Satu’li Canteen Flute Flask for $13.49, and is also served without the souvenir flask for $4.49. In addition, you’ll also find a pair of specially crafted draft beers on tap. Hawkes’ Grog Ale is green in color, and features a flavorful brew of apricot, peach, and a hint of wheat. Mo’ara High Country Ale is amber in color, and features hints of toffee, caramel, and nuts. You’ll also find a pair of Banshee Wines, and a Dreamwalker Sangria to quench your thirst. Satu’li Canteen and Na’vi River Journey both officially open along with the rest of Pandora – The World of Avatar on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

Time to park-hop over to Epcot now, as details have emerged on the 2017 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This year’s incarnation of Food & Wine will begin earlier than ever, as the event will run from Thursday, August 31 to Monday, November 13. This puts the total number of Festival days at 75, almost two weeks longer than last year’s 62-day event. In addition, five new kiosks will be in the mix for 2017, bringing the total number of Marketplace Kiosks to a whopping 35. The five new kiosks haven’t all been announced yet, but it has been revealed that Spain and India will both be joining in on the festivities this year.

Time to board the Monorail and venture over to Magic Kingdom Park now, as Wishes! Nighttime Spectacular is set to wrap up its run of nearly a decade and a half. The nighttime spectacular will light up the skies over Magic Kingdom Park for the final time this Thursday, May 11. The next night, Happily Ever After will be replacing Wishes as Magic Kingdom’s new nighttime fireworks spectacle. Ahead of the Wishes farewell, the Emporium is currently selling commemorative shirts, hats, and souvenir cups. Wishes made its debut on the night of Thursday, October 9, 2003.

Our next newsbit takes us right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A, as tarps and construction scrims are now covering the majority of the exterior of the Emporium. No word on how long this exterior refurbishment will be going on, but the store is scheduled to remain open for business throughout the duration of the construction work.

For more MK news, let’s travel down the Avenue of the Planets and into the heart of Tomorrowland, as a new interactive character has been out and about mingling with parkgoers. Dubbed the iCan Showbot, this friendly robot ventures all over Tomorrowland, stopping to talk to any guest willing to converse with him. Wherever iCan Showbot goes, he travels to his own soundtrack of music and sound effects. In addition, if you tell him the name of your hometown, he’ll instantly begin to spout off extensive details and fun facts about your area! The iCan Showbot is making appearances around Tomorrowland daily, with his most active period being in the morning and early-afternoon hours.

Our final newsbit takes us over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as a new Guardians of the Galaxy character experience has made its debut. The Meet and Greet can be found inside Walt Disney- One Man’s Dream, and features Star Lord and Groot. The new character experience coincides with the May 5 theatrical release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and the Meet and Greet is slated to operate throughout the remainder of 2017. In related Meet and Greet news, BB-8 is now making appearances at the Star Wars Launch Bay. The Chewbacca and Kylo Ren Meet and Greets are both scheduled to continue daily operations as usual, as the BB-8 Meet and Greet will be an addition, not a replacement.

Well, that’s gonna do it for the May 2017 Edition of the WDW Radio Newswire. But I’ll be back again next month with lots more news, notes, and happenings from Walt’s beloved Florida Project!

]]>51813What a Little Wishin’ Can Do: A Tribute to “Wishes” Fireworkshttp://www.wdwradio.com/2017/04/what-a-little-wishin-can-do-a-tribute-to-wishes-fireworks/
Tue, 11 Apr 2017 13:00:19 +0000http://www.wdwradio.com/?p=51173It’s been a long day in the most magical place on earth. As special as this acreage is, you’re ready to hit the hay. You’re pretty tired. Your feet probably […]

It’s been a long day in the most magical place on earth. As special as this acreage is, you’re ready to hit the hay. You’re pretty tired. Your feet probably hurt. And yet, something is still keeping you here. You know that, despite the memories you’ve made throughout the day, the best is yet to come. Despite your desperate need for a soft pillow and a massage, you choose to neglect rest to stay for what you know will be the best part of your Disney experience. The conclusion; the happy ending. Perhaps you’re alone, perhaps you’re with family. Whomever you’re near, you’re quite near, because the Hub is sardined with bodies, all waiting, all anticipating. Then, just as you rethink your decision to stay, you hear a murmur of strings. Is it your imagination? They get louder… yes, they’re clearly audible now. And then, as the strings reach their maximum volume, as if with a flick of Tinker Bell’s wand, a trumpet blasts and the lights are silenced. At last, it’s time for Wishes, Disney’s signature fireworks spectacular, to begin.

This has been the ritual of nearly every evening in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World since 2003. Upon its debut, Disney guidemaps hailed Wishes as “the grandest finale to ever fill the Magic Kingdom sky.” And now, it’s a tradition whose days are numbered, taking its final bow in May 2017 to make way for a new fireworks show, Happily Ever After. Today we take a look back at Wishes, look ahead to what the future holds, ask a lot of hard questions that must be answered, and celebrate all the wishes made everywhere in between.

History

The full title of this nightly spectacular is Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams presented by Pandora Jewelry (phew). Its subtitle stems from a promotion native to its premiere date. In 2003, Disney pushed a yearlong “Magical Gatherings” theme, encouraging families to vacation in parties of eight or more, offering discounts and incentives for doing so. Wishes was an anchor of this promotion, as was Mickey’s PhilharMagic, opening at the same time and sharing a similar tone and purpose as Wishes to encompass the emotions of Disney’s legacy in a singular production (a daunting task, certainly, and one we’ll touch more on later).

This was part of an ongoing marketing strategy from Disney Parks that would continue over the next decade or so. Approximately every two years, Disney’s domestic resorts rolled out a bi-annual theme, toward which its vacation packages and promotional pieces were geared. Typically, new attractions (especially entertainment offerings) would debut at the beginning of each promotion’s cycle. Sometimes these productions were clearly strategized to match the established theme; other times, one could argue their introductions were coincidental, and attached to the theme extraneously after-the-fact. (One such attraction in support of the latter theory is Mission: SPACE at Epcot, which opened in the same month as Wishes and PhilarhMagic and was also advertised as part of “Magical Gatherings,” but clearly is the outlier from those other two productions in connection, or lack thereof.) Sometimes the attractions’ engagements would be limited to the length of the promotion in which they debuted (like Cinderellabration, a castle stage show tied to “The Happiest Celebration on Earth” in 2005), while other times the attractions stayed far longer (like Wishes), supporting the argument that the attraction/promotion connection was coincidental rather than strategic. As it so happens, the most recent instance of this marketing approach was 2012’s “Let the Memories Begin!,” which saw the opening of The Magic, The Memories, and You!, the first generation castle-projection spectacular, whose technology evolution led to the looming closure of Wishes. (Shout-out to the obnoxious “Memories Begin” banner at the front of Magic Kingdom, which long overstayed its welcome and is more of a sin to me than the castle cake.)

Pictured here in a screencap from the now-extinct Disney Magazine, Julie Andrews was onhand for the premiere performance of Wishes on October 8, 2003. She was escorted by Mickey Mouse himself, donning his sorcerer’s cap paired with a maestro’s tuxedo, the same ensemble he adorns in PhilharMagic (and which would make an excellent photo-op costume, just sayin’).

At the time of its premiere, Wishes was accompanied nightly by SpectroMagic, a nighttime parade that initially debuted in 1990 and which would share an evening menu with Wishes until closing in 2010. The two productions smartly mirrored one another in more ways than one. On the outset, it can be no coincidence that both productions are narrated by Jiminy Cricket, a clever move on Disney’s part that links together two signatures of the park. Wishes and SpectroMagic did not necessarily tell two parts of the same story (if each of them even tells a cohesive story at all), but they inarguably shared the same tone and style, both having a beautiful orchestral score and both highlighting the hallmarks of what gives Disney a special place in its guests’ hearts, expertly magnifying that placement in a way that either comes across blatantly hokey or wonderfully poetic, depending on your relationship with the brand and your Feeling/Sensing meter on the Myers Briggs scale.

Disney significantly amped appeal for its seasonal, after-hours parties in 2005 by introducing exclusive fireworks shows that only performed during the events. For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party came Happy HalloWishes and for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party came Holiday Wishes. Both are completely different shows from Wishes, not add-ons or altered versions of the original. They are each their own, separate production. Holiday Wishes retains Jiminy Cricket as its narrator, very much feeling in sync with the original Wishes, while HalloWishes seems to only be named such so as to keep in uniform with the other two, having the Haunted Mansion‘s Ghost Host as its emcee and Jiminy being completely absent. (Interestingly, when 2007 introduced the short-lived Pirate & Princess Party, its fireworks show did not carry the word “wishes” in its title, instead being called Magic, Music, and Mayhem, and narrated by the three good fairies from Sleeping Beauty and the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella. Since Pirate & Princess was a failure, is the word “wishes” a good luck charm, then?) As this article is posted, there are no announced plans for HalloWishes or Holiday Wishes to change in content or name once Wishes closes.

In 2005, much of the music from Wishes was recycled for the fireworks show developed for Disneyland‘s fiftieth anniversary, Remember… Dreams Come True. The first few minutes’ soundtracks are identical, save for swapping out Jiminy Cricket and the Blue Fairy speaking about the power of wishes for Julie Andrews sharing a brief history of Disneyland. Then, the shows divert in very different directions, but ultimately steer back around to share the same finale. Remember was performed 2005-2014, had a brief pause for Disneyland‘s sixtieth anniversary, and recently returned in February 2017.

The Goods

This isn’t just any theme park. This is Magic Kingdom (don’t you dare put “the” in front of it, or else its newly christened entrance sign will smite you). This is not only the world’s most visited theme park, but its most important. This means that whatever fireworks show is in place can’t be just fireworks. They must be great. They must be special. They must elicit some sort of emotional response. Its tone must carry weight; if it doesn’t… BAM! It just doesn’t work. Its content must be as classic as classic can get, pooling from only the most esteemed Disney stories and songs.

For its part in this, Wishes is an interesting reflection of what the 2003 Disney felt would hold up across the long years it knew this show would be performed during. Some inclusions were time-tested safe bets, like having narration by Jiminy Cricket or dialogue spoken by the Evil Queen. Others weren’t necessarily gambles, but were still banking on relatively new films withstanding in the years to come, like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, both of which have. The riskiest real estate the show bestowed, and the one that is admittedly off-sync today, is an instrumental of “Go the Distance” from 1997’s Hercules. By 2003, the film had already had six years to prove itself and perhaps hint at its long-term longevity (or in this case, lack thereof, if only judged by the standards of its Disney siblings). By 2003, Hercules was considered a success, but not in the same ballpark as other Disney films, which is why it’s odd that it would be included in Wishes. Did Disney think Hercules would have a second wind post-2003? Did it merely feel the need to include a recent film, and Hercules had a soundtrack most in line with Wishes? Did Disney think Hercules embodied the same spirit of Magic Kingdom echoed in other movies it included in the proceedings? Perhaps we’ll never know. No doubt, “Go the Distance” and its rousing orchestral arrangement is inspiring and beautiful, though not quite as recognizable to the general public as the rest of the show’s songs. Nonetheless, it’s wonderful to hear an overlooked film in the same breath as the studio’s films that gained a bit more long-term traction.

For Wishes, the park utilized its geography in an unprecedented way. Its press release from summer 2003 hails it as the first Magic Kingdom fireworks show with multiple launch points, using the rooftops of Fantasyland and the surrounding ground around Cinderella Castle to its advantage. Some of its pyrotechnic motions (such as the show opening with the star making its rounded, aerial trip over the castle, a real-life representation of the Disney logo shown before all of the company’s films) were, at the time, revolutionary in a way that is easy to forget today.

The only changes ever made to Wishes come in its finale. HalloWishes and Holidays Wishes both include perimeter fireworks at their end. They are unlike anything you will ever experience the rest of your life. The original Wishes didn’t have perimeter fireworks, save for three occasions. When Wishes was performed on nights that the park hosted Halloween and Christmas parties before the parties had their own specialty fireworks, Wishes had perimeter pyro as a bonus for party guests. The same was done for one day, October 1, 2011, to celebrate Magic Kingdom‘s fortieth anniversary.

Additionally, the only other change might have come before the show ever debuted. On the Wishes soundtrack sold as compact disc, the final line of dialogue from Jiminy Cricket just before the last blast of fireworks is a slight chuckle, followed by “What they can’t do these days.” In the show as it stands today, Jiminy instead leaves us by saying, “See what a little wishin’ can do?” A YouTube search for home movies filmed in fall 2003 have the “new” line, leading me to believe the first line was scrapped before the show premiered. Good thing, too. The initial line acknowledges that this is a fabricated production, and asks us to marvel at its own sophistication. That’s not only rude, but it completely takes us out of the fantasy the rest of the show does such a stellar job at building up. The new line instead keeps us in the world of its story and leaves a parting challenge to us: See what can be done when we wish? Shouldn’t we continue to do so even when we leave this place? That’s a much better message, and one that needed to be retained.

The Road to Replacement

Aside from the alterations listed in the above paragraphs, Wishes never changed throughout its 13.5-year run. Even as projection mapping became prominent in the theme park industry (and as international Disney parks began to introduce shows that merged fireworks and projections into one), different iterations of a nightly projection show onto Cinderella Castle remained separate from Wishes. This is curious… what is the logic behind it? Let’s dissect this by asking two essential questions and providing respective, theorized answers.

1.) If projection mapping has been part of Disney’s resume since at least 2012, why not slap some visuals onto the castle to complement the existing Wishes show? (Probable) answer: It would be a waste of resources to update a show that is so old when you could just make a new show. Disney has expanded its library of characters quite extensively since 2003, and they deserve to have a spotlight just as much as the then-new roster of characters and songs did when Wishes premiered. Also, newer characters are arguably more marketable to the generation who is attached to them (and throwing their money toward them) in the here and now. But then, this begs another question…

2.) If the end game is creating a merged fireworks/projection show, and it’s the consensus is that Wishes needs replacing, why not make that merged show in 2012 instead of continuing to create new projection-only shows and leaving Wishes as-is all this time? (Probable) answer: The fireworks show at Magic Kingdom is such an honored tradition that, out of respect for the weight its product would hold, Disney wanted to get its feet wet with projections before committing to either adding projections to Wishes or creating a merged fireworks/projection show. If the park only changes fireworks shows every decade-and-a-half, then the show should be great. If this is indeed the perspective Disney has, then I applaud it. Caring for the eventual attraction so much that you create multiple trial runs for the sole purpose of getting it right when the time comes for that final product? That’s incredible.

Granted, Disney can at times have a reputation for being a money-grabber, and the thread that led to Wishes taking its final bow may be laced with a completely different, business-oriented story. However, Magic Kingdom as a whole has had a major entertainment makeover over the last several years, and a new fireworks spectacular as its pinnacle would be a genius move if there has been a master plan at work all this time. Since 2013, the park has effectively replaced its daytime parade, daytime castle show, Halloween castle show, Christmas castle show, trolley show, projection show (twice), street party, and welcome show; closed its nighttime parade; and opened a seemingly permanent home for the Muppets to perform in Liberty Square. Nearly every major venue of Magic Kingdom is different from what it was four years ago.

Here we teeter on that “Is it coincidental or is it strategic?” balance again, though I’d like to believe the latter… and there’s certainly evidence for it. For one, the daytime parade (Festival of Fantasy) and daytime castle show (Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire) share a narrator, an offstage royal crier, who doesn’t play a significant part in the story but is present nonetheless. Additionally, the most recent iteration of the projection-mapping show (Once Upon a Time) and the fireworks replacement for Wishes (Happily Ever After) blatantly complement each other in title. The park’s two biggest daytime productions and its two biggest nighttime spectacles are connected, harking back to when Wishes and SpectroMagic worked in tandem with one another. Even if the entire park wasn’t intentionally integrated over the last half-decade, these four projects inarguably were. This speaks to the credibility of its brass and could even ease some tension concerning the current questionable decisions and subsequent vocalized worry of other parks (such as Epcot or Disney California Adventure) in wondering if a master plan is at play, or if attractions are being introduced on an individual-decision basis that could hurt the big-picture impression of each park’s purpose. Whether the guest realizes the connections between FOF and MRFF, and between OUAT and HEE, the link builds into the significance behind the story the park works as a whole to tell throughout a day spent here, and that’s commendable.

The Future

Here we are. On May 11, 2017, after over 13 years and thousands of performances, Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams presented by Pandora Jewelry (c’mon, I have to say the full thing while I still can) will have its final show. On May 12, an all-new nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After, will take its place. As stated earlier, HEE will combine fireworks with projection mapping into one mega-show, and interestingly Once Upon a Time, the (mostly) projection-only show which debuted November 2016, will stay as somewhat of an appetizer. (Even though it’s great, this is still a puzzling decision. If the new show combines fireworks and projections, why is there a need for a projection-only show?)

Happily Ever After will spotlight an assortment of Disney classics old and new, as it should. Of particular note among the announced inclusions are Toy Story (the first Pixar film to be included in a Magic Kingdom fireworks show), Aladdin (which, if it includes dialogue from Genie, could be a fun nod to Wishes), and Moana (an extremely recent film that apparently Disney thinks quite highly of). (Side note: Now you’ll get your chance to scream “I AM MOANA” in the Hub on a nightly basis… don’t tell me you haven’t wanted to do that since the day you heard that soundtrack.) The show promises “contemporary versions of popular Disney songs,” which definitely raises concerns with the preference many will have for HEE to at the very least match the timeless feel Wishes has. Of course it won’t and shouldn’t be the same show verbatim, but if HEE is too contemporary, it’s missed the mark.

The theme song of Happily Ever After will be performed by country singer Angie Keilhauer and Disney Channel alum Jordan Fisher, who has since recorded on the Moana soundtrack and now stars in Hamilton on Broadway. While celebrity appearances are relatively common in Disney theme park attractions, they are more rare with recordings like this that serve as the anthem to a parade or show. That’s usually left to a Disney chorus, which, if absent in HEE, would be a major departure of form. (A sampling of the new song can be heard here.) If the new song sounds like a product of 2017, that’s not necessarily a bad thing as long as the majority of the soundtrack retains a timeless style. Wishes certainly didn’t shy away from shouting to the world that it was proud of the post-show, pop version of its main theme, which might as well have been recorded by Peabo Bryson (and actually later was) and slapped in the end credits of a ’90s Disney movie. Since it is so distinctly 2003, there is no room for complaint if this new song sounds distinctly 2017. It is unknown if the new song will be performed by Keilhauer and Fisher during the actual show, or if, like the pop version of the Wishes theme, it will play afterward as guests exit the park, though its publicity hints to the former.

It’s worth noting that the predecessor to Wishes, Fantasy in the Sky, is still performed annually the week of New Year’s Eve for a two-night engagement. This opens the possibility of Wishes perhaps having encore performances on special occasions in the future (though this is pure theory and has not been hinted officially in any way).

The Legacy

When taken into consideration that Magic Kingdom has existed for 45 years and Wishes has had a nightly presence in the park for nearly 14 of those years, the production is as much a part of the park’s DNA as fireworks itself. As such, its departure is sentimental for many, which is appropriate considering the heartstrings the show aims to tug on in the first place. This is a show whose success thrives on emotion, so its goodbye is naturally emotional.

As such, countless people have fond, strong memories associated with this show. Despite any stress or chaos of the hot, Florida, FP+ induced day, all complications, arguments, or worries of the vacation seem to melt away when those fireworks burst. We are reminded why we wanted to come here. We are encouraged to “always believe in our wishes, for they are the magic in the world.” I’ve experienced Wishes many times in many circumstances, whether winding down by myself in the Hub, waiting squished among the masses prior to the final Main Street Electrical Parade, frantically scouring the Emporium to find a gift for my mom before the crowds inevitably bombarded the shop after the show’s conclusion, enjoying the company of my best friend while enjoying a PineappleDole Whip and a turkey leg in an empty Frontierland… the list could go on, and I’m sure you have your own special memories, too.

Magic Kingdom is a theme park that seeks to absolutely define Disney, and Wishes is a show that seeks to absolutely define Magic Kingdom. Therefore, it has much on its shoulders. It is tasked with the assignment of translating the Disney brand from a corporate juggernaut to a cultivator of tentpole life experiences for families. Not only that, but being the last thing guests experience, Wishes is the final impression of a day in the park, and possibly the final impression of an entire Disney vacation.

These are not expectations that are exclusive to Wishes. The same task is directed toward Happily Ever After, and it will be fascinating to see how Disney approaches 2003’s same goals while leveraging 2017’s technology, storytelling, and marketing sensibility. As we inevitably wait in the shadow of the world’s most famous castle for showtime to begin, we’ll see what new dreams usher in the start of what will be a new staple for the most important theme park on the planet.

]]>51173Adventure Into The World of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy: Disney Tip #86http://www.wdwradio.com/2015/01/adventure-world-yesterday-tomorrow-fantasy-disney-tip-86/
http://www.wdwradio.com/2015/01/adventure-world-yesterday-tomorrow-fantasy-disney-tip-86/#commentsFri, 30 Jan 2015 14:00:25 +0000http://www.wdwradio.com/?p=40254In honor of Lou’s amazing live show Wednesday night, I wanted to share one of my favorite discoveries at Magic Kingdom Park, while watching Wishes Nighttime Spetacular. As I was leaving […]

In honor of Lou’s amazing live show Wednesday night, I wanted to share one of my favorite discoveries at Magic Kingdom Park, while watching Wishes Nighttime Spetacular.

As I was leaving Fantasyland, near the entrance of Enchanted Tales with Belle, I was stopped in my tracks as the music started and fireworks shot into the sky.

Wishes Nighttime Spetacular, as most of you know, is one of the best fireworks show at Walt Disney World. The show is filled with many fireworks and great music.

Facing the back of the Castle, I had never seen the show from that side.

If you love fireworks like me, this is the location to be in. Most of the fireworks in Wishes Nighttime Spetacular are actually shot from behind Fantasyland.

At that moment, I was caught between fireworks behind me and in front of me coming from the Castle. Truly an experience!

Now, if you have not seen Wishes Nighttime Spetacular, I suggest you see it in front of the Castle for the first time. For those of you who are veterans, go behind the Castle and watch from there. You will not be disappointed.

How many of you enjoy Wishes Nighttime Spetacular? Have you ever seen the show from behind the Castle? Comment below!

Peyton is currently a student at the University of Mississippi majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in print. Growing up in Los Angeles and most recently moving to Atlanta, he has seen and experienced the best of both Disneyland and Disney World. Making his first visit to Disney World at the age of 5, he has never looked back as he entered the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.

Join Lou Mongello as he takes you on a quick tour of the newly reimagined California Grill at the top of Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World!

With sweeping views of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort from the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, California Grill opened its doors on September 9 following a major makeover that redefines Disney’s culinary scene.

From the decor to the dining to the expansive wine list and amazing views, the California Grill once again takes its place at the top (literally) of an amazing and diverse portfolio of dining experiences in Walt Disney World

Listener Email – June 9, 2013

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #326 for the week of June 9, 2013.

This week, I’ll open up the inbox and answer more of your questions on the air about everything from the lost New Orleans Resort in Walt Disney World, Castaway Cay, watching Wishes from outside the Magic Kingdom, ADRs, getting groceries to your resort, Illuminations cruises, Disneyland and more!

I’ll have the answer to our last Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week, and pose a new challenge for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

Stay tuned as I’ll some announcements and play your voicemails at the end of the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

]]>http://www.wdwradio.com/2013/06/wdw-radio-326-listener-email-illuminations-wishes-disney-castaway-june-9-2013/feed/727288Top 10 Ways to Celebrate America and July 4 at Walt Disney World – Without Fireworks!http://www.wdwradio.com/2012/07/top-10-ways-to-celebrate-america-july-4-at-walt-disney-world-fireworks/
http://www.wdwradio.com/2012/07/top-10-ways-to-celebrate-america-july-4-at-walt-disney-world-fireworks/#commentsWed, 04 Jul 2012 15:43:15 +0000http://www.wdwradio.com/?p=18300As we celebrate America today – it’s birth, independence, ideals, dreams, freedoms and people, I’m reminded that it is much more than fireworks in the sky during Wishes or Illuminations. […]

As we celebrate America today – it’s birth, independence, ideals, dreams, freedoms and people, I’m reminded that it is much more than fireworks in the sky during Wishes or Illuminations. Both in terms of what the day represents, and ways to celebrate America. And for those visiting Walt Disney World, there are many ways to celebrate, appreciate, experience and enjoy America inside the Disney Parks. So today, let’s look at our Top 10 Ways to Celebrate America and July 4 at Walt Disney World

Enjoy a Hot Dog at Casey’s Corner of Main Street, USA – Nothing says summertime in America like a hot dog at the ballpark, and Casey’s Corner at the end of Main Street, USA. It is themed to an American baseball park, complete with bleachers, scoreboard, an antique coin-operated baseball game, authentic memorabilia, pennants, and a movie screen showing old Disney animated shorts starring Mickey and Goofy which focus on sports. And now with new, “designer” hot dogs like Barbecue Slaw and Chili Cheese, it’s an even better way to celebrate America’s national pastime.

The American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase – Celebrate America in this pavilion which features more than an awe-inspiring show that uses Audio-Animatronics, historic film footage and breathtaking music to honor extraordinary people and events in American history. Inside, the pavilion also features a majestic rotunda filled with numerous paintings and quotations from well-known Americans such as Walt Disney, Charles A. Lindbergh and many others. The Liberty Inn serves traditional American fare like burgers and BBQ and outside you can find turkey legs and funnel cakes. The Voices of Liberty a capella group harmonizes under the acoustically pure dome of the rotunda singing American classics. The Hall of Flags exhibit displays the different flags throughout U.S. history. Outside, The Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps performs patriotic songs in traditional Colonial garb, and Heritage Manor Gifts offers handcrafted goods, Americana items such as replicas of historical documents like the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, as well as Voices of Liberty CDs.

The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square – Liberty Square is the ultimate realization of Walt Disney’s dream to showcase the stories, history and dreams of the American people that never came to be in Disneyland’s “Liberty Street and Edison Square.” The Hall of Presidents is a 23-minute stage show features every American president, past and present, in a fascinating tribute that combines film, Audio-Animatronics characters and storytelling to honor their legacies. Each president is introduced on stage, and Presidents Washington and Obama deliver patriotic speeches (President Obama recorded his speech at the Oval Office in the While House). The opening film illuminates our country’s origins, the formation of our Constitution and the hard-fought struggles, including the Civil War before President Lincoln recites the Gettysburg Address. The Hall of Presidents is something that was originally envisioned by Walt Disney himself, but may even exceed his original vision.

Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3-D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – What? Muppets? Of course! Why? Because As Sam the Eagle reminds us during the pre-show, “It’s a salute to all nations, but mostly America.” Not only that, be sure and check out Miss Piggy at the end of the film and as the centerpiece (of course) of the fountain in the Muppet*Vision plaza courtyard – she’s dressed like the Statue of Liberty!

Main Street, USA – No other area of Walt Disney World or Disneyland embodies the spirit of America more so that Main Street, USA. Walt said of Disneyland’s Main Street that “Main Street, U.S.A. is America at the turn of the century – the crossroads of an era. The gas lamps and the electric lamps, the horse drawn car and the auto car. Main Street is everyone’s home town…the heartline of America.” Main Street, USA is meant to be sentimental, evocative, colorful and ideal, but was grounded in reality with the introduction of authentic props such as lamps from Boston and Philadelphia, and antiques found in store windows. And while it was meant to be symbolic and theatrical, yet inviting and practical for people to wander, shop and explore, it was important to Walt that his “town” in MSU would really reflect the American dreams and work ethics that helped build this great nation. And did you know that on Main Street, USA, EVERY day is July 4? That’s right – Notice the pennants (they aren’t flags or they would have to be taken down each evening) at the tops of the buildings that line the street.

The Journey from Liberty Square Through Frontierland -Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom is replete with little details and significance in design and architecture. It is a land that is less about fantasy and more about reality in American history, both real and imagined, and was also built to fulfill one of Walt Disney’s fondest personal dreams. Walt had a great love and fascination for American history and often had impromptu discussions around the dinner table at home with his family where he read aloud parts of the Constitution. He was also honored throughout his life for his patriotism, including receiving an award from the American Legion for “for dramatizing to old and young alike the unique heritage of America.” And that patriotism bled through to his work, as in a 1957 interview about Disneyland, Walt stated: “There’s an American theme behind the whole park. I believe in emphasizing the story of what made America great and what will keep it great.” Walt Disney once said, in describing his plans for Disneyland’s Frontierland, “All of us have cause to be proud of our country’s history… Here you can return to frontier America, from the Revolutionary War era to the final taming of the great southwest.” Liberty Square takes you through the history of America on a three-dimensional stage, and is a journey through story of the Westward expansion of America east of the Mississippi river. Heading towards Frontierland, we are now on the verge of new century and the westward expansion, symbolically be crossing the Mississippi River and moving south and west to new adventures in Frontierland – through St. Louis in the early 1840s all the way to a ghost town in the late 1880s, after the gold rush boom of the time. Progressing from Liberty Square down the street into Frontierland, you are moving east to west… and west to east as you journey from Big Thunder Mountain towards Liberty Square. Remember that not only was there expansion from east to west during the 1800s, but also from west to east at the same time. So just as the Rivers of America joins Liberty Square and Frontierland, the Walt Disney World Railroad station in Frontierland represents the meeting of east and west with the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads on May 10, 1869 at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory. The architectural styles, building materials, and even the numbers on the buildings indicate the passage of time from the 1787 of the Hall of Presidents to the 1840s of the Diamond Horseshoe. Set in St. Louis, the “gateway to the west” played a prominent role in the westward expansion of the United States. But Frontierland also tells the story of America through folklore and “fakelore,” with stories of “Texas” John Slaughter, Pecos Bill, Tom Sawyer, Davy Crockett, Mark Twain and many others.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – Personally created by Walt Disney for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a journey through time as we follow an American family (we never know exactly where they live) that continues to discover new technologies that make their lives more easy, comfortable and fun. The show takes place over a series of four Acts, four seasons, and four holidays, narrated by the father (John). The first act takes place during Valentine’s Day around the beginning of the 20th century. The second act take place on the 4th of July in the 1920s (most likely 1927, based on a Charles Lindbergh reference). The third act is set around Halloween in the 1940s, and the final act is on Christmas the time frame is set somewhere in the 1990’s. So much like Main Street, USA, it’s one of two places in the Magic Kingdom where it actually always IS the 4th of July!

Dine at The Liberty Tree Tavern– “Past this gateway stirs a new nation waiting to be born. Thirteen separate colonies have banded together to declare their independence from the bonds of tyranny. It is a time when silversmiths put away their tools and march to the drums of a revolution, a time when gentlemen planters leave their farms to become generals, a time when tradesmen leave the safety of home to become heroes. Welcome to Liberty Square” That inscription is found on a plaque that marks the entrance to Liberty Square from the central hub in the Magic Kingdom. And the story of the Colonial village that is told in and throughout Liberty Square affords Guests the opportunity to experience and learn about life around the time of the American Revolution. Part of that experience can be found inside the Liberty Tree Tavern, atable service dining location which serves traditional American fare such as clam chowder, homestyle roast turkey and pot roast, as well as salads and sandwiches. The Tavern itself is patterned after 18th century colonial inns. Its windows are fashioned from handmade “seed glass” with visible bubbles that would be authentic for that time period. Each of its six dining areas features a unique fireplace and detailed artifacts and theming appropriate for and dedicated to an American patriot like the nautical items in the John Paul Jones room, the silversmith tools in Paul Revere’s room, Benjamin Franklin’s kite and keys, and countless others. The restaurant represents the type of early community hall, where colonists would gather to break bread together as they planted the seeds of a new nation. It’s a wonderful dining and learning experience full of wonderful detail and story, that is a classic Walt Disney World favorite.

Daily Flag Retreat Ceremony in the Magic Kingdom- Each day Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom holds a Flag Retreat Ceremony in the center of Town Square on Main Street, USA. Taking place daily at 5:00 pm, it is a moving and patriotic event, which involves a color-guard lowering and folding the American Flag. Veterans are often invited to take part in the flag-retreat ceremony, and Guests can inquire at City Hall (I recommend going first thing in the morning) for more information or to see how you can be a part of it. You can also call Walt Disney World at 407-824-2222 and ask for Magic Kingdom City Hall. Tell them the date your or the veteran you know will be at Magic Kingdom and request them to be the Veteran of the Day (Please note that the selection process may be random at this time. Inquire at City Hall or by calling the hotline). At the end of the ceremony, the veteran receives a commemorative certificate and a special trading pin that says “Veteran” as well as a photo of the ceremony. I believe each and every Guest, whether they call America home or not, should see this moving ceremony, pay their respects to the flag and those in the military (all of whom I believe are all true heroes), and honor their service to our country.

Explore! – Walt Disney World is meant to be savored. While I understand that many families and visitors have a limited amount of time and want to experience as many attractions and shows as possible, I also believe that the parks and resorts are meant to be meandered through, discovered, and enjoyed for the details and stories they possess. For me, the “attractions” aren’t necessarily things enumerated on a map. Instead, they include the storytelling elements that define and create the environments in which the attractions exist. And in terms of celebrating America and the 4th of July, there are countless ones to seek out. From the replica of the Liberty Bell in the center of the Court of Flags, to the Minuteman’s rifle and Paul Revere’s lanterns inthe windows of the buildings, there is real history to be experienced. Reminding ourselves or educating our children of the stories of Davy Crockett, Paul Bunyan, Wild Bill Hickock or Johnny Appleseed in the props at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe bring American folk tales to life. Authentic, rare articles that played a part of the daily lives of famous Americans, past and present, are showcased in “National Treasures” at the American Adventure Pavilion in Epcot. Abraham Lincoln’s hat, George Washington Carver’s microscope, Benjamin Franklin’s chair, Frederick Douglas’ writing instruments and Thomas Edison’s early kinetoscope are among some of the the showcased items, which are on loan from museums and private collections around the country, each providing a tangible link to the personalities of the people who owned them. In the rotunda of the Hall of Presidents is an attraction unto itself, so be sure to explore and enjoy all the wonderful Presidential portraits and artifacts from past Presidents, including Bill Clinton’s saxaphone, Lincoln’s inkwell used during the writing of his Inaugural address, and numerous other mementos from the Presidents and First Ladies. Look at dates on buildings, such as the year on the Hall of Presidents, and learn what they represent. See if you can find the Chinese Laundry facade in Frontierland, and piece together the significance of this small establishment. Find out who “Texas” John Slaughter was, and why he’s represented in Frontierland as well. Wander through the nooks and crannies of Main Street, USA and discover “…America at the turn of the century – the crossroads of an era. The gas lamps and the electric lamps, the horse drawn car and the auto car. Main Street is everyone’s home town…the heartline of America…” – just as Walt Disney had envisioned it.

To learn more about the details, stories, history, hidden treasures and experiences of Walt Disney World, download the Audio Tours of Walt Disney World – my narrated, walking tour of the parks, complete with the ambient sounds of the lands and attractions to transport and immerse you in the exeprience! The first 6 lands of the Magic Kindgom are now available on the WDW Radio store.

To celebrate America (and July 4th), for a limited time I’m offering a50% discount on your ENTIRE order! Just use code JULY4 at checkout!

So where and how do YOU like to celebrate America (or the 4th of July) in Walt Disney World? Leave your answer in the comments below